Women in tech and the AI revolution: a transformative combination

The speakers agreed that we are squarely in a transformative era, as GenAI is becoming more mainstream. As a result, with pressure on budgets, enterprise companies are rethinking their tech spending priorities across software, marketing tools, compliance and infrastructure to take full advantage. Sharon Mandell, CIO of Juniper Systems, explains “whether it’s in our products, or how we do business, we are not going to look away from a transformational technology.” 

For the first time, some of the panelists noted, AI is beginning to crowd out other R&D spend as the budget mix shifts. As companies grapple with an explosion of data and a proliferation of software and IT options to choose from, they expect to see a continuing push towards consolidation and software spend rationalization. As one panelist explains: AI capabilities are very expensive to build, train for and maintain, so more energy is being devoted to bringing costs down and streamlining AI functions, as the ability to monetize AI is still in the early stages.

AI offers investors many avenues for participation: ranging from early-stage venture capital investments, to the broader opportunities in established tech and telecom firms who are embracing AI.

As for legacy telecom companies, their enterprise customers want to tap into AI’s capabilities, but recognize their networks aren’t ready and need help. “Lumen is an AI enabler - that is our opportunity that we're pursuing,” explains Kate Johnson, CEO of Lumen Technologies Inc. “The internet does not serve the digital economy. It’s not prepared for AI… we are going to be expanding the internet in a material way and making it infinitely more consumable. It gives us a growth vector that people didn't expect.”

When it comes to adopting AI, notes one consumer company CIO, there are distinct challenges. Two major hurdles are: properly testing the technology and training the users. Panelists underscored the importance of having a clear and thoughtful process in place for enterprise-level adoption, first lay the groundwork by having the data ready, then have confidence in the model and, finally, have the infrastructure in place to support it. 

Regardless of the sector, panelists noted that incumbent firms can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines when it comes to implementing AI. Faced with a multiplicity of choices, it becomes ever more important for companies to be intentional about which AI applications to adopt.

Lumen is also an AI adopter, integrating it at every level of the company. Johnson is already seeing huge progress with leveraging GenAI capabilities for their knowledge workers. “Usage of new tools is saving around 30 minutes a day per person, which is pretty profound when it adds up and provides the opportunity to shapeshift our resources accordingly.” 

Alongside the AI discussion, the panelists had plenty of advice around empowering and advancing women in tech and promoting diversity and inclusion in tech companies. One key priority, they agreed, was to build and nurture a network of peers. This not only makes for a rich learning experience but can provide encouragement and support to overcome challenges. Ashley Kramer, Chief Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer at Gitlab Inc., says “the networking effect is the most powerful piece to any learning. I am very fortunate to have one and I like to give back as much as I can to others.”

As AI continues to gain traction, for Lumen Technologies’ Johnson, it’s not a matter of losing your job—or your company—to AI, but rather “losing your job and your company to other organizations and people who use AI.”. As the demand for developers and coders is set to increase, notes Gitlab’s Kramer, it is crucial that women are given the training and support to help fill this skills gap.

For women aiming for leadership roles, says Bonita Stewart, Former Gradient and Google VP, Co-lead, Black Angel Group and Board Partner. "Having responsibility for revenue and operating margins can lead to more opportunity to move into leadership.” Also critical to success, she adds, “it’s important to challenge yourself. Be intentional about applying your existing skills but also constantly strive to develop new ones—and don’t be afraid to fail."

“Don’t view your career path as linear, suggests Salesforce’s Weaver. Sometimes, she explains, you should look sideways or even back for fresh options or a move that you can make, which initially might not seem like a step forward but could in fact open up lots of new opportunity.” And when it comes to promoting diversity and inclusion, adds Stewart, it’s critical to start with acknowledgement—and training. And while this often begins at the top, you also need to listen to, and pay attention, to the ranks. “We have to lift as we climb.”